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Pakistani police arrest thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of rally in the capitalST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy steadied himself after a rugged start Saturday with a 4-under 66 and caught up with Vince Whaley in a wild third round at the RSM Classic in which a half-dozen players had at least a share of the lead. McNealy looked as though he might have the lead when he hit wedge on the final hole that rolled just by the cup and settled 8 feet away. He missed the putt, still in great position to go after his first PGA Tour victory. Whaley, also winless on tour, birdied the 18th for a 63 and will be playing in the final group for the first time on the PGA Tour. McNealy, who joined him at 14-under 198, also shared the 54-hole lead in 2021 at the season opener in Napa, California. Whaley was playing with a sense of freedom not everyone has at the final PGA Tour event this year. He was playing on a medical extension and fulfilled the necessary points in July. The next step was finishing in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup. He secured that last week with a tie for fifth in the Bermuda Championship. Everything else feels like a bonus, and there could be no greater perk than a victory to get into the Masters and PGA Championship, along with a two-year exemption. “I've really got nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I'm just excited for the opportunity,” Whaley said. Opportunity abounds going into the final round. Daniel Berger shot a 63 and played his way into the final group, just two shots behind. He was tied with former Sea Island winner Mackenzie Hughes (65), Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Patrick Fishburn (69). Berger and Thorbjornsen were among those who arrived at Sea Island outside the top 125, the number required to keep full status on tour on next year. Thorbjornsen already has that locked up as the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University ranking. Berger needed a big week and he's delivering, even though he says he doesn't feel stress. Berger missed 19 months with a back injury that he feared might end his career. Now he's healthy enough to have played 27 times this year. “Regardless when I play well, I'm going to be fine,” said Berger, who played in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. "When you miss that much amount of time it takes a little bit of a while to get back. It's just a matter of being patient and eventually good things come around.” Henrik Norlander and Hayden Springer, also on the the wrong side of No. 125, each shot 63 and were among those tied for 12th, a position that currently would let them move into the top 125. Joel Dahmen, who had to make a 5-foot par putt on Friday to make the cut, shot 70 and was tied for 61st. He is at No. 124 and his future depends on a big round Sunday, along with how Thorbjornsen, Berger, Norlander and Springer fare. Closer to the top, eight players were separated by three shots. That includes Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore and No. 1 amateur in the world who already has three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and was going after another one. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfMELBOURNE, Australia , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Coles Group , a leading Australian retailer, announced the successful go-live of its master data management (MDM) solution in partnership with Stibo Systems . The new system, powered by Stibo Systems’ award-winning STEP platform, addresses various pain points in Coles’ data management, transforming product maintenance, digital assets and customer experience across its diverse business channels, including Coles Online and Coles Liquor. “At Coles, our commitment to delivering seamless and reliable shopping experiences for our customers is paramount,” said Anthony Corboy , Head of Commercial Technology at Coles Group. “Being on this journey with Stibo Systems has allowed us to tackle a range of inefficiencies in our data management processes, helping streamline product information and drive a consistent brand experience across our channels. We’re now better equipped to innovate in our digital and in-store offerings, benefitting both our customers and suppliers.” Various challenges to overcome Before adopting Stibo System’s STEP solution, Coles faced a range of challenges including data inconsistency, outdated manual workflow processes, fragmented product maintenance, limited online product detail, inconsistent cross-channel sales, and disjointed distributed digital assets. These challenges presented an opportunity for Coles to enhance its operational efficiency and deliver more consistent product experiences across its various digital channels by implementing a robust data management system. Project goals Coles’ primary goals for this project were to: Strategic business impact With the Stibo Systems solution now in place, Coles is positioned to address the challenges and unlock opportunities in the following areas: “We are thrilled to support Coles Group in realizing their vision for a more integrated and customer-focused data strategy,” said Pradip Mashru, VP, Asia-Pacific & Japan at Stibo Systems. “The successful go-live of our platform at Coles is a testament to the power of MDM in addressing complex business challenges and unlocking new efficiencies. By centralizing data and enhancing its quality, Coles is well-positioned to elevate its customer experience, reduce operational costs and continue to innovate in the retail industry.” About Coles Group Coles Group is a leading Australian retailer with over 1,800 retail outlets across the country. Known for its commitment to innovation, Coles Group is focused on enhancing its digital and in-store experiences to meet evolving customer needs. About Stibo Systems Stibo Systems is a leading enabler of trustworthy data through AI-powered master data management. Built on a robust and flexible platform, our SaaS solutions empower enterprises around the globe to deliver superior customer and product experiences. Our trusted data foundation enhances operational efficiency, drives growth and transformation, supports sustainability initiatives and bolsters AI success. Headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark , Stibo Systems is a privately held subsidiary of Stibo Software Group, which guarantees the long-term perspective of the business through foundational ownership. More at https://www.stibosystems.com . For more information, please contact: Katherine Hahn Public Relations Manager khah@stibosystems.com Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2376823/Stibo_Systems_Skagerrak_RGB_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/coles-group-chooses-stibo-systems-to-help-improve-its-customer-experience-across-digital-channels-302322008.html SOURCE Stibo Systems
Happy Valley star James Norton is a busy man: as well as starring in new Netflix movie Joy and upcoming ITV series Playing Nice , he's got a couple of historical dramas in the pipeline. One of those is House of Guinness , a new show from Peaky Blinders boss Steven Knight which tells the story of the family behind the iconic Irish brewery, and also boasts Louis Partridge, Anthony Boyle and Jack Gleeson among its cast. It sounds like a blast, and so when we spoke to Norton about Joy during the London Film Festival last month, we couldn't resist asking him what to expect from the series. "We are half just over halfway through the first series, hence my very dark hair and everything – tinted eyebrows and all that jazz," he said. Keep up to date with all the dramas - from period to crime to comedy By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time. "I'm playing an Irish man from Dublin, and it's really fun. It's a really, really fun job. Steven Knight is at his best, he's blessing us with these incredible scripts. And it's just a delight." Expanding a little more on the show, he explained: "It's the Guinness world of 1860, at the moment they exploded onto the world and became this kind of international phenomenon. [It's] such an interesting time, politically." And he added: "It's got beer, it's got this, like, eccentric family, we've got these, you know, Steven Knight characters all kind of jostling and playing, fighting, f**king. It's just, like, really exciting." Read more: James Norton on bursting into tears reading Joy script and Happy Valley memories Outlander stars know what the future is for Bree and Roger The show was initially announced by Netflix back in March, with Knight commenting at the time: "The Guinness dynasty is known the world over – wealth, poverty, power, influence, and great tragedy are all intertwined to create a rich tapestry of material to draw from. "I’ve always been fascinated by their stories and am excited to bring the characters to life for the world to see." We can't wait! House of Guinness is coming soon to Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month . Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream . Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaignFAIRMONT, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- MVB Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: MVBF) (“MVB Financial,” “MVB,” or the “Company”) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share, maintaining the dividend declared in the previous quarter for shareholders of record as of December 1, 2024, payable on December 15, 2024. This is the fourth quarterly dividend for 2024. “We are pleased to continue to add value for our shareholders and encouraged by the adaptability of Team MVB and the resilience of our business model,” said Larry F. Mazza, Chief Executive Officer, MVB Financial. “MVB’s foundational strength remains intact, evidenced by stable asset quality, an enhanced capital base and growth in tangible book value per share. We are increasingly well-positioned for future growth and improved profitability.” About MVB Financial Corp. MVB Financial Corp., the holding company of MVB Bank, Inc., is publicly traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market® under the ticker “MVBF.” Nasdaq is a leading global provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services. Through its subsidiary, MVB Bank, Inc., and the Bank's subsidiaries, the Company provides banking services to Fintech clients throughout the United States. For more information about MVB, please visit http://ir.mvbbanking.com . Forward-Looking Statements MVB Financial has made forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in this press release that are intended to be covered by the protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “continues,” or the negative of those terms or similar expressions. Note that many factors could affect the future financial results of the Company and its subsidiaries, both individually and collectively, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon any forward-looking statements. Those factors include but are not limited to: market, economic, operational, liquidity, and credit risk; changes in market interest rates; impacts related to or resulting from recent bank failures and volatility; inability to achieve anticipated synergies and successfully integrate recent mergers and acquisitions; inability to successfully execute business plans, including strategies related to investments in Fintech companies; competition; the pace of recovery following the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company’s business and financial condition; changes in economic, business, and political conditions; changes in demand for loan products and deposit flow; operational risks and risk management failures; and government regulation and supervision. Additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update, revise, or correct any forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121464014/en/ CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT Amy Baker VP, Corporate Communications and Marketing MVB Bank abaker@mvbbanking.com (844) 682-2265INVESTOR RELATIONS Marcie Lipscomb mlipscomb@mvbbanking.com (844) 682-2265 KEYWORD: WEST VIRGINIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: MVB Financial Corp. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 04:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121464014/en
Pakistani police arrest thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of rally in the capitalThe US presidential election on Nov 5 was one of the most anticipated events of the year and the result was a surprisingly clear victory for Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Trump won the important swing states -- Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Wisconsin -- and secured more than the 270 electoral votes necessary for a second term as president. Voters appear to have punished the Democratic administration of Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris for higher living costs, a legacy of the pandemic, as well as concerns about Middle East politics and a perceived lack of clarity about Ms Harris's profile, failing to win over voters despite an otherwise strong US economy. In our view, the Trump sweep promises to support US economic growth, which is already running at a decent level. US growth will end up well above its potential, contributing to rising inflationary pressures. Inflationary risks could also increase depending on trade policy, should large tariffs be implemented on a global scale. Given the unique global position of the US as a driver of consumer demand and its notable absence in the rest of the world, we see a good chance that US tariffs could be largely absorbed by importing countries rather than US consumers. The result is a modest impact on US inflation, while tariffs could become a disinflationary driver in China and possibly Europe. Judging from the initial reaction post-election, markets are taking the results in stride, as the likely extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and looser regulations could potentially translate to higher economic growth in the US. These developments, combined with generally higher fiscal spending, should translate into a positive impact on earnings growth for US equities, giving a further boost to cyclical sectors such as industrials and quality mid-caps, which are among our favourites to position for the cyclical recovery in global growth. Moreover, Trump's perceived policy preferences favour segments such as banks, oil and gas, and defence stocks. We maintain our long-standing preference for remaining invested in US equities, which should receive a further boost from a Trump sweep relative to their European peers. The higher potential for new trade tariffs should increase the risk premiums of European equities. In our opinion, industries such as automobiles, semiconductors and chemicals are most exposed to the tariff risks. ALL EYES ON THE FED With US election uncertainty now out of the system, the markets are once again returning to data dependency and a focus on the Federal Reserve until more clarity on policies becomes available after Trump's inauguration on Jan 20. The day after the election, the Fed followed through with its expected interest rate cut of 25 basis points (bps) and refrained from any pre-commitment to further moves. The question remains how much higher the terminal rate will be as a result of Trump's policies. We expect two more rate cuts of 25bps, to a range of 4% to 4.25% by March 2025, which would leave the policy rate in slightly restrictive territory to fight rising inflation. In the fixed income space, as the most bond-bearish outcome -- a Republican sweep of the presidency, Senate and House -- appears to have crystallised, yields are moving higher in the aftermath. Given the volatility in US Treasury markets, it is difficult to declare that longer-term yields have reached an attractive entry point just yet, even if the level looks more appealing again. We still see more value in corporate debt, which remains in a position to dampen some moves in a world of higher fiscal vulnerabilities and uncertainties. Considering gold's record-breaking run this year, which recently reflected the growing chances of another Trump presidency, its dip in the aftermath of the election looks like a "buy the rumour, sell the fact" situation. ECHOES OF 2016? Looking ahead, the big question for the gold market is how different today's version of Trump will be from the one who won the election eight years ago. Back then, expectations of pro-growth policies supported the dollar and lifted US bond yields, which in turn weighed on gold prices. By the end of 2016, gold prices were down more than 10% from election day. While we expect higher growth, a stronger dollar and higher bond yields this time around, the outlook for gold seems different. There are broad-based concerns in the gold market about ballooning fiscal deficits and rapidly rising debt levels in the US, which at some point could undermine the US dollar's role as the world's reserve currency. In addition, there is Trump's geopolitical agenda, which is shaped much more by confrontation than conciliation. In our view, the bigger picture for the yellow metal remains very much unchanged. Central banks are increasing their gold reserves to be less dependent on the dollar and less susceptible to US sanctions. This applies particularly to the People's Bank of China, which still has a rather low share of gold in its currency reserves. Renewed signs of central bank buying, particularly from China, should be much more important than the outcome of the US presidential elections. Kean Tan is Head of Investment Solutions at SCB-Julius Baer Securities Co Ltd.NoneOTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is offering to give up time on an opposition day in the House of Commons to allow Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to present the government's fall fiscal update. Poilievre says he will allow Freeland two hours to present the fall economic statement on Monday — a day allocated for Conservatives to present their own motions in Parliament. The Conservative leader says he'll give up that time so the government can tell Canadians whether it kept a promise to cap the federal deficit at $40 billion. The parliamentary budget officer is projecting the government will exceed its own fiscal guardrail, with a deficit of $46.8 billion for the previous fiscal year. "Not only will we co-operate to let her introduce that fall update, we will actually give her a Christmas gift: We'll give her two hours out of our Conservative opposition motion day on Monday for her to stand on her feet and tell us how much she's lost control of the nation's finances," Poilievre told reporters on Wednesday morning. So far, it doesn't appear the Liberal government plans to take him up on the offer. Freeland called the proposal "utterly absurd" ahead of her appearance at the Senate's national finance committee. "This proposal from the Conservatives is like an arsonist who set the fire in the first place, saying, 'Don't worry about it. I'll come with a fire truck for a couple of hours. But tomorrow I'll be back again with matches,'' Freeland told the media. "And when it comes to the fall economic statement, I will be presenting it soon, and I'm looking forward to it." Freeland has not yet announced a date for the fiscal update, telling reporters on Tuesday that the filibuster in Parliament is standing in the way of the government's work. The Liberal government has not said whether it will meet its own pledge on the deficit. The House of Commons has been in gridlock for weeks as opposition parties demand the government hand over unredacted documents related to misspending at a green technology fund to the RCMP. Government House leader Karina Gould reacted to Poilievre's offer by calling on the Conservatives to end the debate. "We should end the filibuster," Gould said. "It's enough, right? There's important work that we need to get done." The filibuster will be paused on Thursday because Speaker Greg Fergus has stepped in to ensure the four remaining opposition days happen over the next two weeks: the first are allocated to the Conservatives on Thursday and the NDP on Friday. The Conservatives will have two more opposition days on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. The Tories are expected to introduce another non-confidence motion on Thursday that quotes NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's own criticism of the Liberal government's handling of labour disputes at the country's largest rail yards and at the Montreal and B.C. ports. Singh said Tuesday that he would not support that motion. The NDP plans to use its opposition day on Friday to push the government to expand affordability policies. The New Democrat motion calls for Canada to permanently remove the GST on what the party calls essentials. This includes prepared foods at grocery stores, children’s clothes, diapers, home heating, and cellphone and internet bills. Last month, Singh promised to enact this policy if the NDP forms government after the next election. His party supported the Liberals' temporary pause in the GST on holiday-themed items including toys, children's clothes and restaurant meals, even though it did not go as far as he wanted. The NDP motion also calls for the expansion of what the government calls the Working Canadians Rebate, which the Liberals intend to send to anyone who earned up to $150,000 in employment income in 2023. The NDP wants the one-time $250 payments to also go to fully retired seniors, people who rely on disability benefits and "others in need." To pay for the expansion, Singh calls for an "excess profit tax" on the "largest and most profitable corporations." As it stands, the government’s $250 payment plan is expected to cost nearly $4.7 billion. Freeland said Tuesday that the government clearly doesn't have support from other parties to pass legislation to enact the rebate payments and is talking to opposition parties about the measure. She did not specify what she may be willing to do. Both motions are expected to be voted on in the House of Commons on Dec. 9. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Nojoud Al Mallees and David Baxter, The Canadian Press
SIR Keir Starmer’s big reset was more of a mission impossible yesterday as he swerved migration and benefits targets and diluted election promises. His Plan for Change speech — at the studios where Tom Cruise filmed the blockbuster spy thrillers — was ridiculed by Labour critics. The Prime Minister claimed his new 43-page policy brochure would “land on desks across Whitehall with the heavy thud of a gauntlet being thrown down”. But even some members of the Cabinet were left baffled by six new milestones unveiled as part of a reset to Sir Keir’s rocky first five months in power. They came on top of five previous missions the PM set for his government — that he said were built on three foundations, stemming from two priorities to grow the economy and secure borders. But nowhere in his heavily hyped speech at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Bucks , were any targets for getting down legal migration, stopping the Channel migrant boats or helping the 11million people out of work to find jobs. read more on politics Instead, Sir Keir urged voters to judge him on six milestones; INCREASING real term disposable income by the next election, which is already forecast to happen; CUTTING NHS waiting lists so that 92 per cent of patients get planned treatment within 18 months; VOWING a named police officer for every neighbourhood with the recruitment of 13,000 new officers; ENSURING three quarters of children start school ready to learn, up from the current two thirds; POWERING the UK with 95 per cent low-carbon energy by 2030; BUILDING 1.5million homes by the end of this Parliament and fast-tracking planning decisions on 150 infrastructure projects. While promising sweeping NHS reforms, the new targets only focus on reducing waiting lists. Meanwhile a promise to secure the fastest growth in the G7 was downgraded to an aim and a key Net Zero goal to have a zero carbon electricity system by 2030 was also scaled back. Most read in The Sun While experts said the new target was more realistic, ministers insisted their new goal of 95 per cent clean energy by the end of the decade was not a climbdown. Yet in March Labour said: “By 2030, the UK will be the first major country in the world to run on 100 per cent clean and cheap power, with lower bills for all.” Adding to the confusion, the PM denied watering down policy, insisting “the clean energy pledge is today exactly what it was in the election; that has always been central to our mission”. None of the new milestones centred on soaring migration. Repeatedly pressed on why small boats or legal migration did not feature, the PM refused to put a target on securing the borders but said: “We are going to drive down migration, both legal and illegal.” Asked by The Sun he insisted his targets were a big risk as they were hard tasks and denied he was targeting only “low-hanging fruit”. The PM also vowed to rip up Whitehall red tape that has clobbered development projects and held back economic growth. The speech marked Sir Keir’s third attempt to define his government’s agenda after just 153 days in office. 'NO PLAN' And it came as Labour slumped to third behind the Tories and Reform in one opinion poll. While in opposition, Sir Keir laid out five missions but ahead of the election these were replaced with six first steps for change, focusing on economic stability and cracking down on antisocial behaviour. The PM said the new milestones are designed to show progress and give clearer direction. READ MORE SUN STORIES But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of having no plan to control migration numbers. She insisted: “This relaunch can’t hide the reality of a government that doesn’t know what it is doing.” By Harry Cole , Political Editor LIGHTS, camera... Inaction! Taking to the stage at Pinewood Studios - the home of Bond, Star Wars and Mission: Impossible - Sir Keir Starmer all but admitted he needed to up his act. No10 spinners were clever enough to avoid the “surely shome mistakes” headlines by swerving the Sean Connery Studio, but no PM wants to be having to explain the point of their government just 20 weeks in office. But sadly yesterday was a minestrone of milestones, missions, tepid baths, gauntlets, pillars, goals, foundations and first steps. Big issues were shelved, and parts of the speech sounded suspiciously like they had been written by AI or a graduate management consultant who had swallowed a thesaurus. Yet buried deep was an important concession. Sir Keir, always so quick to carp from the opposition side-lines as Captain Hindsight, admitted the Whitehall system itself must share some of the blame for the state Britain is in. Better late than never, PM... but its going to take more than this word soup to turn things around.Atria Investments Inc Makes New Investment in Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN)You could keep things simple with the new BMW 1 Series , or you could satisfy your enthusiast desires instead. BMW’s fourth-generation 1 Series hatchback brings a lot to like: two variants with two different engines, both of which are well-geared for their intended purposes, loaded with advanced interior tech, and brimming with the kind of design and build quality expected of vehicles from such a well-established European brand. So the only question appears to be which of the two cars in the range your should choose. Well, they’re actually quite different, and they have a huge $26,000 pricing gulf between them, so it’s rather easy to set them apart. If you want an affordable German hatch to run around in, albeit one that offers decent performance, crisp handling and can accommodate a surprising amount of people and cargo, the logical choice is the front-wheel drive 118 three-cylinder – which we’ve published a separate review of. But if you want something a little extra that delivers hot-hatch performance in the same 1 Series body, you’d go for this – the new M135 xDrive. WATCH: Alborz’s video walk-around of a German-market M135 xDrive. It has the same high-quality cabin technologies, materials and fit and finish as the 118, but adds a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, so the difference is it’s properly fast. And there’s a comprehensive range of optional gear available to make it more like a full-fat 1 Series M model. Naturally, like the 118, the higher-performance M135 has a few competitors that also hail from Germany, including equivalent versions of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3 – the A35 AMG and the S3 respectively. There’s not a lot to separate them on paper, and their prices are equally competitive. We published our first review of the new 1 Series from the international launch a few months ago, and now we’ve had our first drive of the new 1er at BMW Australia’s local launch, where were able to sample both variants on roads in and around the Melbourne suburb of Dromana, providing a solid mix of road types and conditions. Is the new M135 worth the significant price premium, or are you better off keeping it simple and saving a big wad of cash by buying the 118 instead? The 2025 M135 xDrive is priced at $82,500 before on-road costs – a $5900 increase over the outgoing model – while the new 118 costs ‘just’ $56,500 plus on-roads. At that price the M135 has three direct hot hatch rivals, and all of them are also German and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine driving all four wheels via an automatic transmission. The closest-matched Merc is the A35 AMG, which for a premium ($88,500 before on-roads) offers nearly identical power outputs and, unlike the BMW, is also available in sedan form. However, note that the second-generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sedan, including the similarly renewed and renamed M235 xDrive, arrives here in early 2025. In the case of Audi, the M135’s most direct competitor is the S3 Sportback at $75,400 before on-roads. Again, it has a similar engine with nearly identical outputs, all-wheel drive, and a sedan counterpart, meaning the BMW splits the difference on price. Though it’s significantly cheaper at $70,590 before on-roads, you can also compare the M135 to the Volkswagen Golf R , which again is almost nearly identical in terms of its powertrain and body configuration. To see how the BMW 1 Series stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The 118 and M135 are very similar inside, and that’s reflected by the similarities between our two reviews. That said, there are some tastier M-flavoured treats to be found in the M135. At first glance and without the M Sport Package Pro fitted, you’ll struggle to find any major differences between the M135 and the 118. That’s partly why you won’t be missing out on much by opting for the cheaper 1 Series, at least not on the inside. As standard, M135s are fitted with the same dual driver-oriented screens, sporty seats upholstered in either a mix of Alcantara/vegan leather – known as Veganza – or purely Veganza at no extra cost, and the same chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel as found in the 118. The subtle changes are in relation to the driving controls. Starting with the steering wheel, it’s still buttery smooth in the hands but you’ll notice a red 12 o’clock marker stitched into the top. Behind it are larger paddle shifters, which are aggressively shaped and feature unique cut-outs to signify positive and negative on each side. Adding the M Sport Package Pro takes things to the next level. The most minor change is the stitching, which on the steering wheel features the iconic blue and red M colourway. Then there are the seats, which are swapped out for aggressively racing-inspired sports buckets. They hold you in place well too, making sure you’re planted if you decide to take the M135 for a spirited drive. You’ll find more M accents on the seatbelts, while the brake calipers are now painted red and the interior ambient lighting also reflects the colours of BMW’s performance sub-brand. It’s all very nice, but it’s worth remembering those tweaks are added to an interior setup that’s already very well put together. The interior ambient lighting can also be adjusted through the 10.7-inch infotainment screen, through which most of the car’s other functions are also controlled. Unique interior presets can also be optioned at the time of purchase, which are configurable here and change the experience inside the cabin. A handful of modes are primarily presets for lighting colours and screen backgrounds, but others actively adjust things like audio and the panoramic sunroof to alter the environment for the cabin’s occupants. Silent mode, for example, closes the sunroof shade and mutes the quality audio coming from the Harman Kardon speakers, allowing you to focus on, well, driving. If optioned, there are realistically a few too many modes to figure out and select. Chances are most owners will find one they like best and stick with it, leaving the others sitting there dormant except perhaps for showing new passengers what the car can do. From a practical standpoint, the infotainment display is also where you’ll find the climate control system – with which BMW has taken an always-on approach. That means the screen displays the climate control interface at the very bottom regardless of what menu is selected above. It’s better than having to go through a menu, but we’d still prefer physical buttons because we find screen-focused climate systems to be finicky and distracting while on the move. The 1 Series in general also features a similar isolated toggle and dial, as seen in the 5 Series, to adjust air vent direction, which can be a little unintuitive until you get used to it. Using this system has allowed BMW to hide the vents in narrow slots within the dashboard itself. It’s clean in appearance as a result, but as with the 118 it’s perhaps not worth sacrificing user-friendliness in the pursuit of minimalism. Around the gear selector is the exact same array of buttons as found in the 118, which focus on functions like window demisters and driving-related modes. As expected, it’s linked directly to the infotainment screen above, which means a menu will open when a button is pressed. At least it’s not all gloss-black plastic, but that doesn’t excuse its use on the couple of buttons that are frequently touched. One of those is the button to start and stop the engine, which is integrated into the larger gear selector panel. It’s a neat place to put it but it’ll take you a moment to find when you first jump in. In a similar sense, the functions of some of the nearby buttons may not be completely obvious, which means some time with the car will be required to become fully familiar with the car. Even then we had to ask for some guidance from the BMW execs at the launch, primarily around what all the different infotainment modes do. We found the ‘Personal’ mode is the default setting, while the others – excluding Sport and Efficient – are almost entirely focused on interior aesthetics. We know choice is good, but again there’s just a bit too much going on. Still, having dedicated shortcut buttons for such menus in a place that’s easy to find and reach is always a bonus. On the centre console are two cupholders, as well as two USB-C ports and a 12V outlet. There’s also a phone-sized cubby, which doubles as a wireless charging pad. More buttons are found on the steering wheel, which – as mentioned – is exactly the same as in the 118 if you exclude the red stripe. All of its buttons are finished in durable hard plastic instead of the gloss-black alternative, and they’re all physical instead of haptic like we’ve seen in some other German cars. We’re thankful for that, because it means the 1er feels much more analogue and easy to work with. The buttons may also seem minimalist in appearance, but you’ll find their functions are all actually clearly labelled. That means the functions here – which include driver assist and infotainment controls – are easy to figure out, and unlike some of the car’s other features will not be too confusing when you first hop in. Better yet, we find the steering wheel’s edgy design elements to be quite stylish. As with the 118, the second row is surprisingly spacious. Given its hatch body though, the 1 Series will be fairly cramped when you’re at maximum five-person capacity. Average-height passengers will find there’s plenty of room all around, helped by the high roofline towards the back of the car and cut-outs in the front seatbacks. It may feel somewhat boxed-in back here, but that’s likely because of the black headlining above. That headliner and sunroof make everything feel a bit more premium, and the cozy atmosphere back here means it’s a nice place to spend time in. Rear-seat passengers can also make use of two USB-C ports and a pair of rear-facing air vents. There’s a fold-down centre armrest too, and overall the three-seat rear bench is comfortable to sit in, if a little flat. Finally, the boot offers a large, flat floor and a robust cargo cover up top. For comparison, seats-up space in the 1er is 10 litres larger than in the A-Class hatch, and exactly the same as in the A3 Sportback. BMW has fitted a fair few cargo hooks here too, but there is a pronounced loading lip between the boot opening and the floor. That’s typical of many other similarly sized hatches, though it’s not any less impractical. The lack of a spare wheel means the floor can sit lower, which means you get more cargo space. Unfortunately, BMW only provides a tyre repair kit. To top it all off, there’s a powered tailgate as standard. Everything is just as premium as in the 118, though those optional M Sport extras are well worth adding if you’re already making the jump to BMW’s fastest hatch. To see how the BMW 1 Series stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool You’ll find the most powerful engine of the two-car 1 Series range in the M135, and it’s capable of producing 233kW of power and 400Nm of torque, which despite being 160kg heavier than the 118 is enough for BMW claim a rapid sub-5.0-second 0-100km/h acceleration time (more than 3.5 seconds better than the 118 and it feels that quick). Its peak power output is up 8kW over the previous model (and now ahead of both the 228kW S3 and 225kW A35), though maximum torque is down by 50Nm and now matches its German foes. The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (like the 118) and all-wheel drive as standard. We’re unable to provide a representative real-world fuel economy figure, as we didn’t get enough time behind the wheel of any one vehicle to properly test how efficient it would be to live with, but note that fuel bills will be pricier on a diet of 98 RON unleaded, as per the 118. To see how the BMW 1 Series stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool This is where the largest disparity between the M235 and the 118 lies, and the performance gap is big enough to make them feel like completely different cars on the road. While you’d be forgiven for mistaking the 118 for the M135 inside, closer inspection reveals exactly what you’re about to drive when you hop behind the wheel of this car. There’s a heightened sense of excitement, even if you’re greeted by the same M badges as seen across the BMW range. But pressing that discreet startup button reveals exactly what it is you’re dealing with. The M135-specific quad-exit exhaust gives the car much more presence via an aggressive idle, which sounds as tastefully harsh as you’d expect from a performance BMW. It’s clear the German brand wanted this car to have much more aural character, which is just one of the ways in which it sets itself apart from the comparatively tame 118. Flick the gear selector down into Drive and you’ll immediately find there’s plenty to take in, starting with all the tech going on here. First are the drive modes, which have a significant impact on how the car feels on the road. The default Personal mode provides a good compromise between performance and comfort, though you will notice how firm the suspension is straight off the bat. As you’d expect from an M-badged BMW, the suspension is firm enough to keep body roll well in check, yet it’s still surprisingly compliant over difficult bumps. Switching to Efficient mode will dramatically cut power, while also dulling the throttle response in an attempt to save fuel. The steering remains light in both modes, which aids manoeuvrability around town. But the real deal of the M135 is its Sport mode, which is when everything gets turned up to 11. The exhaust becomes louder, steering heavier, and the suspension stiffer, setting the car up for some properly fast driving. Its displays reflect these modes too, with the colours and amount of information presented on the digital instrument cluster adapting accordingly. Hitting the open road with Sport mode engaged is a lot of fun. Put your foot into the throttle and that 2.0-litre turbo four opens right up, with an appropriately loud exhaust note to match – even if it may be partly fake. Throw it into a turn and you’ll feel just how well it sticks to the road. Even on the tightest bends we struggled to induce any serious understeer, and planting your right foot out of a turn won’t spin the wheels thanks to its AWD traction. While the standard Sport mode will automatically shift the transmission into its own sport setting by default, the M135 has no issue letting you take control yourself via the paddle shifters, when the shifts are fast and responsive – and complemented by a unique feature on the head-up display. When in Sport mode and shifting manually, the head-up display shows a shift indicator when you get close to redline, like the old-school gauges in previous M-cars. The lights that climb from yellow to orange and finally to red are a racy addition, and it all adds to the experience when you’re throwing the car around. Naturally, the engine has a surprising amount of poke in it’s most aggressive mode. Though there has been a 50Nm reduction in torque, it never feels like M135 is hanging around and there’s always plenty of twist on tap. In normal driving it may take a second for the transmission to kick down for optimum power, but Sport mode does well to keep the engine in its ideal range. But if you’re just cruising and need a quick boost of power, BMW has thought of that too. As in the 118, holding the left paddle for a second or two will engage Boost mode, which provides 10 seconds of full power regardless of the drive mode selected, making it easier to overtake slower traffic thanks to a quick acceleration hit. Despite its somewhat unassuming face, BMW has successfully managed to apply its ‘driver’s car’ ethos to the M135 xDrive without ruining its everyday appeal, and it’s impressive just how fun it can be on the right road. Of course, most won’t buy this car just to throw it around a mountain road or racetrack, so it’s pleasing it’s also such an easy car to live with on a daily basis. Without the M Sport Package Pro you still get sporty seats, but they remain well within the realms of liveability. That means on rough roads or during the typical commute, you won’t be sore by the time you get to your destination. As mentioned, the suspension does a good job of ironing out major bumps even if it is very much on the firm side, and we found that its ride quality helps boost confidence even in normal driving. A downside may be that the dual-clutch transmission is a little hesitant at low speeds, but it’s by no means difficult to manage. Of course, that trait is typical of such transmissions anyway, and its application in the 1 Series feels much more polished than it does in some of the alternatives. On the tech side, there’s also plenty to like. Though there is wireless smartphone mirroring, BMW’s native software is pretty clever and easy to use. If you engage the native navigation, some interesting things happen immediately. Of course, the maps appear on the central screen and head-up display, but BMW has also cleverly integrated the car’s front facing cameras. An augmented reality display will automatically appear on the infotainment screen, which shows the view out the front of the car while adding digital arrows to show you exactly where you need to go. It’s a fun novelty when you first see it, but likely won’t be something you use all the time. The camera view takes up a significant portion of the map as well, but it can quickly be turned off if you’d rather do it the old fashioned way. Thankfully, driver assist systems like adaptive cruise control and lane centring all work reliably, and even the driver monitoring function didn’t get in the way while on the road. Another thing that can be easily turned off is the speed limit warning, because the M135 suffers from the same annoying beeps as the 118. It’ll beep when you first exceed the limit by any amount, and then beep again when your speed changes by even 1km/h. Its volume and tone aren’t nearly as intrusive as in some other cars, but they quickly become grating. Unfortunately, just keeping up with traffic will often see the speedo reading higher than your actual speed, so a quick dive through the infotainment menus is the easiest way around its warning. Diving through those menus isn’t as simple as it is in the 118 though. There are loads more screens to flick through and many more settings that can be changed because of those optional extras, which makes things overwhelming if you’re looking through it for the first time. For that reason it pays to take a moment to have a look through the multimedia system before you hit the road, because unless you have a passenger it won’t be easy to identify everything while you’re moving. That said, after a while many owners may appreciate the level of choice available. The modes are easy enough to navigate once you’re used to the car, and the minimalist approach to physical controls never really gets in the way of making the car do what you want it to do. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with the M135 xDrive’s on-road performance. It’s just as fast as you’d like it to be, thanks to an engine that’s as great as its chassis, forming a combination that’s deeply rewarding when you drive it aggressively and access its limits. While it may ride and handle a lot like the 118, the increase in power makes this car a much more complete package. Indeed, ride quality and dynamics are the highlights of the M135, even if it is geared more towards the latter. We could just do without those speed limit warnings, and perhaps a pruning of the driving-related menus. To see how the BMW 1 Series stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The 2025 BMW 1 Series range is available in two variants, and the top-spec M135 xDrive is as good as it gets in terms of standard tech. If you can spring for the M Sport Package Pro, you’ll bring the new 1er as close as possible to the full-fat ‘M1’ that BMW will never build. 2025 BMW 118 equipment highlights: M135 xDrive adds: The optional M Sport Package Pro ($2700) adds: The 2025 BMW 1 Series has yet to be assessed by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment on the 118 includes: The M135 xDrive adds: The BMW 1 Series range is covered by the German brand’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. BMW offers a five-year, 80,000km Service Inclusive Basic package for the 1 Series, which costs $2210 as per the 2 Series . To see how the BMW 1 Series stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool The new BMW 118 is good, but the M135 should be high on the list for any European hot hatch enthusiast. Sure, its price may be higher than some of its non-European alternatives, but against its immediate rivals it’s right where it needs to be. It backs up its price with upmarket interior presentation, ergonomics and build quality, as well as a plethora of advanced tech as standard. What is disappointing is the fact you need to pay extra for the M Sport Package Pro goodies to really separate this from the 118, but the M135’s standard spec is still nothing to sneeze at. But all that is forgotten when you hit the road, where the bristling turbo four slams down exceptional performance, and its sharp chassis setup is plenty capable of maximising every ounce of it in the bends, even if it eschews the rear-drive layout for which BMW was famous. However, the M135 is just as well suited to the weekday grind, where its practical yet compact five-door body, premium high-tech interior and well-sorted ride may well be the icing on the cake. Of course it isn’t all perfect, because there’s almost a dizzying amount of settings and menus to wrap your head around. A lot of it is optional, but we’d forgive you for not being able to figure it all out on your own. The speed limit warning is annoying too, and it’s not made any better by the fact you have to trawl through those menus to turn it off. You’d get used to it if you lived with the car though, but some more physical buttons for such shortcuts would go a long way in tightening up the experience. Nevertheless, we’re very impressed with the M135. It offers everything you’d need in a performance-oriented hatch while carrying BMW’s exceptional standards for quality and driver experience – partly helped by the fact some of the competition has lost its way in recent years. If you can get over the price and optional extras, the new performance 1er is undoubtedly worthy of your time. Interested in buying a BMW 1 Series? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything BMW 1 Series
Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Roughly two months after barring parents who wore "XX" wristbands during a high school soccer game against a transgender athlete, a school district is confident in its decision to do so. Anthony Foote of Bow, New Hampshire, told the New Hampshire Journal he had received a notice of trespass from Bow and Dunbarton School Districts Superintendent Marcy Kelley after he had worn armbands in support of biological girls-only sports to his daughter’s high school soccer game back in September. Foote, his wife Nicole, Kyle Fellers, and Eldon Rash then filed a federal lawsuit against the Bow School District, Superintendent of Schools Marcy Kelley, Principal Matt Fisk, Athletic Director Mike Desilets, Bow Police Lieutenant Phil Lamy and soccer referee Steve Rossetti several days later. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM A group of New Hampshire parents sued a school district over their removal from a girls' soccer game for protesting against participation by a transgender player. (Getty Images) The "silent protest" at Bow High School, the lawsuit says, intended to "show solidarity" with the Bow team and oppose a policy that allowed a transgender girl to play on Plymouth's team. Fellers and Foote testified Thursday that they hadn’t intended to harass or otherwise target a transgender player on the opposing team, but the school district said differently. Kelley and Desilets believed that the protest wouldn't stop at just wristbands, saying they had received strongly worded emails from Foote in which he called himself a "real leader" who was prepared to take action. They also said Foote urged others to attend the game on social media. In the days leading up to the game, another parent told school officials that she had overheard others talk about showing up to the game wearing dresses and heckling the transgender player. "When we suspect there’s some sort of threat . . . we don’t wait for it to happen," Kelley said on Friday. The "silent protest" at Bow High School, the lawsuit says, intended to "show solidarity" with the Bow team and oppose a policy that allowed a transgender girl to play on Plymouth's team. PRO SOCCER PLAYER BLASTS MEDIA FOR PRAISING MEGAN RAPINOE WHILE BLASTING CHRISTIAN PULISIC FOR TRUMP DANCE Kelley also pushed back on the idea that the plaintiffs were simply expressing support for their daughters and the girls' teammates in general, noting that they had chosen the one game involving a transgender player to begin wearing the wristbands. "This was organized and targeted," she said. "If we were to allow harassment, we’re liable." A federal judge in the case, Steven McAuliffe, pushed back on the parents for repeatedly referring to the athlete as a boy on Thursday. "You seem to go out of your way to suggest there’s no such thing as a trans girl," McAuliffe said during the hearing. The transgender player in question, Parker Tirrell, and another student athlete are challenging the state law that bans transgender athletes in grades 5 to 12 from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. A federal judge ruled in their case that they can play sports during the ongoing lawsuit that seeks to overturn the law. The Bow School District defended its decision to bar those who wore "XX" wristbands at the game. (Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Gov. Chris Sununu, who signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law in July, has said that it "ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions." Fox News' Paulina Dedaj, Landon Mion, Jackson Thompson, and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .Giorgio Scalvini celebrated his return for Atalanta just 173 days after a serious knee injury and would not rule out a Scudetto push for this season. ‘We play with more quality now.’ La Dea continued their astounding form with a seventh Serie A win on the bounce, with goals from Mateo Retegui, Ederson and Ademola Lookman. Matteo Cancellieri had got Parma back into it straight after the restart, but after two disallowed goals, Lookman managed to seal it at the back post. The best news was the comeback for Scalvini as a substitute, ahead of schedule considering he underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery “I am very happy to be back, these were very long and tough months with a lot of work. I couldn’t wait to be back on the pitch with my teammates,” “I’ve been training with the squad for three or four weeks, stepping up the amount of work I do and it was wonderful to be back. Now we’ve got to keep pushing and I can hopefully get back to the fitness levels of my teammates.” Scalvini is effectively a reinforcement for Atalanta, who have been struggling with absences in defence, and the Sky Sport Italia pundits joked with his curls and gentle manner that he is similar to Italian tennis champion Jannik Sinner. Do Atalanta believe they can truly challenge for the Scudetto this season? “We take it one game at a time. The coach always tells us to do that, because if our minds go elsewhere, we cannot focus 100 per cent on the task in hand. He is very good at making us concentrate and the results are coming.” Atalanta are having their best ever start to a season with 28 points and 34 goals scored in the opening 13 rounds, so how have they improved from last term? “This team always had a great deal of intensity, but perhaps more quality now than we used to, the way we play our way out of defence. We have also improved our defensive solidity, the coach has done great work.” Scalvini was forced to miss EURO 2024 for Italy with that injury, but is considered one of Italy’s most promising talents for the future. He has a way of playing out from defence that is similar to Alessandro Bastoni, another Atalanta youth product, so where does that come from? “It was fundamental that I came through the Atalanta youth academy, they teach you that from the very start and want to see players with confidence. That is why so many have made it through to the main team.” . 👑🔙 — Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC)
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(CNN) — House Republicans voted on Thursday to block a Democrat-led effort to release a long-awaited Ethics Committee report on allegations against former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. The House took a step to effectively shut down a resolution from Democrats that would have required the public release of the report. House GOP leaders sidelined the effort by Democrats by setting up a vote to refer the resolution to the committee, a move that blocks the report’s release for now. The outcome of the vote raises the question of whether the findings of the panel’s investigation will ever become public. Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing, withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general last month after it became clear he didn’t have the votes in the Senate to win confirmation. The former congressman had faced headwinds on Capitol Hill in his bid to lock down sufficient support, and some Senate Republicans had called for the release of the ethics report as part of the vetting process. Last month, before Gaetz withdrew, Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted behind closed doors – and against the will of Democrats on the panel – not to release the results of the investigation at that time. The panel met again Thursday ahead of the House vote, but did not provide any information on whether the report would be released, saying in a statement after the meeting only that it was “continuing to discuss the matter.” House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he does not think the report should be released because Gaetz is no longer a member of the House, so the ethics panel no longer has jurisdiction. Gaetz, a Florida Republican, resigned from Congress shortly after Trump announced him as his pick for attorney general. The Ethics Committee said in June, when it provided an update on the status of the investigation, that it was reviewing allegations that Gaetz may have “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.” The panel noted in making the announcement that Gaetz has “categorically denied all of the allegations before the committee.” The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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